Inexpensive & Exotic: A Trip through Cambodia, Laos

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Bayon is a temple of Angkor that many tourists in Cambodia list as their favorite. Photo Credit: Scott Heim

The first day of Scott Heim’s trip to the Mekong-region countries of Laos and Cambodia began with “a guided marathon trek through the mountainous Nam Ha jungle and ended with a fireside dinner of freshly-caught river frogs”.

“My thrill-seeking partner, Michael, had booked a guided “Laos Adventure Tour” online; in addition to the jungle hike, we would also visit several minority villages, spend an overnight homestay with a local rice-farming family and kayak along miles of rapids. The three-day trek, including meals, cost just $180 each.

“Although this part of the world seems an impossible or exotic destination for many Americans, others consider it a frugal traveler’s dream …”